Title of Invention

FRAME AND CORRESPONDING ROADWAY DEVICE

Abstract This frame (2) comprises a bottom plate (22) which has a base (26) which defines a frame support surface (28) which is directed towards an inner side (I) and a skirt (2 0) which is intended to receive a covering element (4) and which defines an outer side (E). The bottom plate (22) comprises at least one cell (32) which is open towards the inner side (I_) . Use in frames for manholes. Figure 2 -
Full Text

The present invention relates to a frame, in particular for a roadway device, of the type comprising a bottom plate which has, on the one hand, a base which defines a frame support surface which is directed towards an inner side in the assembled state and, on the other hand, a skirt which is intended to receive a covering element and which defines an outer side in the assembled state.
Document FR-2 376 919, for example, discloses a manhole which comprises a frame which is intended to be fixed in the ground and a lockable cover which closes the frame. The frame comprises an annular flat bottom plate and a substantially cylindrical skirt.
The cross-section of the bottom plate is substantially identical over the entire circumference thereof and, consequently, the frame is only weakly anchored in the fixing material.
The object of the invention is to provide a frame for a roadway device, in particular for a manhole, which allows better anchoring in the fixing material.
To this end, the invention relates to a frame of the above-mentioned type, characterised in that the bottom plate comprises at least one cell which is open towards the inner side. According to specific embodiments, the frame according to the invention comprises one or more of the following features:
- the or each cell has a height which is greater than a thickness of the base, in particular at least two times greater than the thickness of the base;

- the or each cell forms a ridge which is directed towards the outer side;
- the or each cell has a cross-section in the form of a U, V or inverted arc;
- the frame comprises at least one strengthening rib which is adjacent to the ridge of a cell and which is directed towards the outer side;
- the or each strengthening rib has a shape which narrows towards the outer side;
- the or each cell comprises at least one through-hole, in particular in the direction which extends from the outer side towards the inner side; and
- the through-hole is arranged at the outermost portion of the cell.
The invention further relates to a roadway device, of the type comprising a frame and a covering element, characterised in that the frame is a frame as defined above,
The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following description, given with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the outer side or the top of a frame according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inner side or bottom of the frame of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a plan view of the top of the frame according to the invention;
- Figure 4 is an enlarged section, taken along line IV-IV, of Figure 3; and
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cover, forming a manhole with the frame of Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 1 illustrates a frame according to the invention, generally designated 2. The frame 2 serves to support a closing cover 4, such as that illustrated in Figure 5, the assembly forming a manhole. The frame 2 and the cover 4 are preferably produced from ductile cast iron.
The frame 2 defines a centre axis X-X and has a shape which is generally annular about this axis X-X. In the following, the expressions "axially", "radially", and "circumferentially" will be used in relation to this axis X-X.
The frame 2 comprises a hinge knuckle 6 which co-operates with a complementary hinge knuckle 8 which is fixedly joined to the cover 4, allowing the cover 4 to be opened and closed by means of rotation about the frame.
The frame 2 is further provided with a housing 10 which protrudes radially in a region which is diametrically opposed to the hinge knuckle 6 of the frame. This housing 10 is suitable for receiving a handling element 12 which protrudes radially at the periphery of the cover 4 when the cover is in a closed position on the frame.
The frame 2 comprises a skirt 20 and a bottom plate 22 . The skirt 20 defines an outer side E which, in the case of a manhole, is directed upwards. The skirt 2 0 has a substantially cylindrical shape about the axis X-X. In this instance, viewed along the axis X-X, the skirt 2 0 is substantially circular. Furthermore, the skirt 2 0 comprises a radially inner lip 2 4 which receives a sound deadening ring not illustrated) on which the cover 4 rests in a closed position.

The bottom plate 22 extends, from the inner end of the skirt 20, radially outwards relative to the axis X-X.
The bottom plate 22 has a base 26 which defines a support surface 28. The base 26 has a thickness d, measured along the centre axis X-X. The support surface 28 is substantially planar and extends perpendicularly relative to the axis X-X. This support surface 28 is directed in the assembled state towards an inner side I_ (see Figure 4) . In the case of a manhole, the support surface 2 8 is directed downwards in the assembled state.
The base 26 comprises axial through-holes 3 0 for anchoring the base 26 in a fixing material.
The bottom plate 22 is further provided with a plurality of cells 32 which are open towards the inner side I_. Each cell 32 has an axial height D, or axial depth, which is greater than the thickness d of the base 26, and which is preferably greater than two times the thickness d of the base 26.
As can be seen in Figure 4, each cell 32 has a profile having a tangential cross-section, that is to say, when viewed radially, in the form of an inverted V, the tip being directed away from the outer side E. Each cell 32 thus has two inclined walls 37 which extend from the base 26 and which merge to form a ridge 34 which is directed towards the outer side E. As can be seen in Figure 1, each ridge 34 extends in a radial direction.
In a variant, the tangential cross-section of the cells may be of another shape, in particular in the form of a U or inverted arc.

Furthermore, the radially outer side of the cell 32 is closed by a wall 35, In a variant, this wall 3 5 may be openwork.
In the inclined walls 37 of each cell 32, there is provided an axial through-hole 3 6 which is arranged at the outermost portion of the cell 32. When viewed axially (see Figure 3), the through-hole 36 has a substantially rectangular shape and extends at one side and the other of the ridge 34. These through-holes 36 facilitate the diffusion of the fixing material of the cells 32 towards the outer side, which has the effect of optimising the coverage of the bottom plate 22 in the fixing material and thus improving the anchoring of the frame 2.
The through-holes 36, in the outer portion of the cells, also prevent the trapping of air bubbles which are capable of impairing the penetration of the fixing material in the cells. Furthermore, these holes 36 also form gripping holes for the frame.
The frame 2 also comprises strengthening ribs 4 0 which are adjacent to the ridge 34 of each cell 32. Each rib 40 extends from the associated ridge 34 at the outer side E and narrows towards the outer edge of the skirt 20. In this instance, the rib 40 is in the form of a right-angled triangle.
The cells 32 on the one hand increase the strength of the frame 2 and, on the other hand, allow better anchoring of the frame in the fixing material.
The cells 32 thus increase the contact surface-area between the frame, which is generally of cast iron, and the fixing

material, which is generally constituted by concrete or cement mortar, thus allowing the contact pressure of the frame to be reduced on the fixing material or on the underground structure on which the manhole is supported, more particularly when the manhole is subjected to significant forces resulting from road traffic on the surface.
When a vehicle brakes or changes direction on the cover, the cells 32 also allow the shearing forces of the fixing material to be reduced owing to its presence in the cells, thus improving the anchoring of the frame.
It should also be noted that the cells 32 according to the invention are raised relative to the general plane of the base 26 of the bottom plate and thus allow a spatial interaction with the fixing material, consequently ensuring better anchoring.
It should be noted that the invention may be used for devices other than manholes, and in particular on any roadway device which comprises a frame which must be fixed in a fixing material and a covering element of the cover or grill type which is supported on the frame.


CLAIMS
1. Frame (2), in particular for a roadway device, of the type
comprising a bottom plate (22) which has, on the one hand, a
base (26) which defines a frame support surface (28) which is
directed towards an inner side (I_) in the assembled state and,
on the other hand, a skirt (20) which is intended to receive
a covering element (4) and which defines an outer side (E) in the assembled state, characterised in that the bottom plate (22) comprises at least one cell (32) which is open towards the inner side (I.) ,
2. Frame according to claim 1, characterised in that the or each cell (32) has a height (D) which is greater than a thickness (d) of the base (26), in particular at least two times greater than the thickness (d) of the base (26),
3. Frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the or each cell (32) forms a ridge (34) which is directed towards the outer side (E) .
4. Frame according to claim 3, characterised in that the or each cell (32) has a cross-section in the form of a U, V or inverted arc.
5. Frame according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that it comprises at least one strengthening rib (40) which is adjacent to the ridge (34) of a cell (32) and which is directed towards the outer side (E).
6. Frame according to claim 5, characterised in that the or each strengthening rib (4 0) has a shape which narrows towards the outer side (E).

7. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the or each cell (32) comprises at
least one through-hole (36), in particular in the direction
which extends from the outer side (E) towards the inner side
(I) -
8. Frame according to claim 7, characterised in that the
thr*ough-hole (36) is arranged at the outermost portion of the
cell (32) .
9. Roadway device, of the type comprising a frame and a
covering element (4), characterised in that the frame (2) is
a frame according to any one of the preceding claims.


Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=eMksYOIO+zjefZghD/dWcw==&loc=egcICQiyoj82NGgGrC5ChA==


Patent Number 271743
Indian Patent Application Number 401/CHE/2007
PG Journal Number 10/2016
Publication Date 04-Mar-2016
Grant Date 02-Mar-2016
Date of Filing 27-Feb-2007
Name of Patentee SAINT-GOBAIN PAM
Applicant Address 91, AVENUE DE LA LIBERATION F-54000 NANCY FRANCE.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CUNY, ARNAUD 45 GRANDE RUE 54119 DOMGERMAIN FRANCE.
2 BERTHON, FRANCIS 23 RUE JOYEUTE, F-54340 POMPEY, FRANCE
PCT International Classification Number B62D6/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 06 01800 2006-02-28 France